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Balancing the Grind with Madeline Moore, Creative Strategist at Snap Inc.

Madeline Moore is a Creative Strategist at Snap Inc. Madeline develops strategic vision for brand presence on the platform – mixing insight-driven creative thinking with key objectives to launch impactful campaigns.

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1) To kick things off, could you tell us a little about your career background and current role?

After graduating, my first role was a content producer at Bauer-owned Beauty Directory. From there, I relocated to New York, joining Match Media as a commercial editor where I managed the NERVE content team, Tinder & Match.com’s The Date Report, and launched a content and video dating series with Revlon.

After developing my skills as an editor, I sought more of a challenge in developing commercial strategy for brands before content production. This saw me move into a role in digital sales strategy at NBCUniversal where I worked with brands to launch content campaigns across NBC’s plethora of owned websites.

While I loved this role, I had my eye out for an opportunity in creative ideation. I started on my creative strategy journey at Snap in 2017 and have been with the company ever since – from the U.S. before moving back home to Australia.

My role today is all my past experiences rolled into one! I’m responsible for developing the vision for brand presence on the platform, mixing creative thinking with what the brand wants to achieve.

As the Snapchat product has evolved over the years, so has my approach: launching campaigns with innovative brands through formats like Augmented Reality and video content and bringing them to life from ideation to production.

One part of my role I am especially excited about is working with brands on campaigns that drive real change and invite people to think deeper about the cultural issues that are important to our community today. I feel grateful to have the opportunity to be part of this type of work at Snap!

2) What does a day in the life look like for you? Can you take us through a recent workday?

Due to Greater Sydney’s current lockdown, like many people, my day is spent working from home. The first thing I do is take my puppy, Roo, for a walk and hunt down a flat white! From there, I spend about an hour filtering through my inbox and prioritising the day ahead.

Honestly – each day is pretty different. I usually have 5/6 meetings, so it is important for me to first take time in the morning to prepare and get my to-do list in order before I kick into gear.

I might be presenting some of our inspiring work at an event (which from home, involves an epic VC light-ring setup!), collaborating with our sales team to respond to client briefs, or working with our production team to bring AR and content campaigns to life.

More broadly I also spend a lot of time bouncing different ideas off anyone I can find including the wider creative strategy team internationally when we meet later in the evening.

After my work day, I try to get out of the house – whether that be going for another walk with Roo, or simply to pick up some groceries for dinner. Leaving the house for some fresh air helps me to truly ‘finish work’ whilst working from home. Once I ‘come home’, my computer is off and I am ready to relax.

3) Does your current role allow for flexible or remote working? If so, how does that fit into your life and routine?

Yes, Snap offers flexible and remote working globally. Off the back of the COVID-19 pandemic and life in lock-down, I think everyone – including employers – have a renewed appreciation for being flexible.

It’s also amazing how taking time for yourself can revitalise you at work – whether it’s a morning walk, half hour tea break, or reading a book at lunch. The ability to work remotely and manage my own day with flexibility has certainly improved my mental health, but it has also made my workdays more efficient.

Instead of going back to running at full pace every day, I think our work habits will continue to evolve as we adjust to this new normal.

4) What does work-life balance mean to you and how do you work to achieve that goal?

I believe work-life balance is about defining what both professional and personal success looks like to you and no one else. Speaking for myself, success in my career is being in a role that continually challenges me and provides an opportunity for me to develop.

It is about building professional relationships and being undeniably passionate about the work that I do each day.

Last but not least, it is also about having the capacity and space to have joy and be passionate in all areas of my life outside of professional work – such as my family and friends. I prioritise them because they are absolutely vital to any success I achieve.

5) In the past 12 months, have you started or stopped any routines or habits to change your life?

In the past 12 months, I have started doing a daily walk – which also coincides alongside the arrival of my dog! Taking time each day to go for a long walk and have time to myself, whether that be listening to a podcast, my favourite song by Bon Iver, or chatting with friends overseas, has added so much positivity to my day.

6) Do you have any favourite books, podcasts or newsletters that you’d like to recommend?

My three favourite books are All The Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr, The Secret History by Donna Tartt and A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara. I am also a sucker for any Wondery podcast!

7) Are there any products, gadgets or apps that you can’t live without?

Aside from Snapchat. It’s got to be Uber! I don’t have a car so I cannot live without it – it’s my go-to to get anywhere.

8) If you could read an interview about work-life balance by anyone, who would that be?

Zoë Foster-Blake. She manages to balance writing, app-designing, TV hosting and her own successful skincare brand – all while being a mum. It blows my mind and I would take tips from her any day!

9) Do you have any last thoughts on work, life or balance that you’d like to share with our readers?

Don’t forget that we are all different. What works for me, might not work for you – and that is ok. The most important thing is to find what does work, what makes you passionate and gives you goosebumps (in a good way!) and run with it. Work doesn’t feel like work when you love what you do.

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About Author

Hey there! I'm Hao, the Editor-in-Chief at Balance the Grind. We’re on a mission to showcase healthy work-life balance through interesting stories from people all over the world, in different careers and lifestyles.